I watched all of the Hawks-Wild series. I think the Ducks were a legit team, but the Hawks' regular season dominance is a more accurate reflection of their actual skill level than the Ducks' was. Some Wings fans are programmed to remember Corey Crawford as that scared 3rd stringer that got forced into the Playoff game against the Wings a bunch of years back, but the dude is legit, and their defense is STACKED. Minnesota created nothing against them. They're basically a super-powered version of Detroit (not unsurprising given the Bowman connection). Toews and Kane are "star" players that aren't as offensively dominant as, say, Crosby and Malkin, but they play hard all over the ice. Plus, Chicago has redeveloped their role players, which was a predictable problem for them in '11 and '12 after their contract with the devil (and the CBA) to stockpile as much top-level talent as the old CBA would "allow".

But I feel good about Detroit right now, so I'm going Detroit in 6 (the most popular answer). I would not be in furious indignation if Chicago ends up with a 3-0 lead on us - they are that good. But much of this regular season really was an unexpected tryout to figure out which of our "B" or "C" level prospects could be NHL'ers, and what roles they would play. Abdelkader suddenly looks like he's built for the Playoffs, ala Franzen or Kesler (not to that level, but you get the poitn). Nyquist is a stud, and Kindl is worlds better than he was when he came up. And there's few, if any, goalies I would trade Howard for right now in terms of how he's played in the Playoffs.

If we get any type of secondary scoring, Datsyuk and Z will eventually show up. But I do think we need a split in Chicago, or we won't be able to dig out against a team like this.

"If I can be totally honest, it's not a lot of guys you get impressed by. Actually, it's no one else but him. From the bench, to see what move he makes -- you're like, 'I wish I could do that.' Sometimes you sit on the bench and just think, 'wow,' and you look over to the other bench and they sit there and shake their heads, too. He has great, great skills. I'm probably not going to play with another player who has the kind of skills he has." Mikael Samuelsson on Pavel Datsyuk

When a goalie is below average for the first 2-3 years of his career and then suddenly becomes a stud behind the best offense and one of the best defenses in the league, that probably means he isn't actually as good as people think. If we have a big game against him early in the series, it could veer him off track for the series (see all 3 Chicago goalies in 09)

I think Detroit will stun the hawks and win one or even both of the first 2 games. Chicago will obviously regroup, but their first adversity of the year will be too much for them to overcome.
Wings in 6

Best chance for the wings to win is to rattle Corey Crawford early and often. He's really not technically sound or overly athletic in net. Coyotes took the hawks down last year it can be done but it's an uphill climb

I love the optimism now by some of the same people that said the Wings were going to make the playoffs and the Wings weren't going to beat the 2 seed ducks. Support the team until the last horn sounds. The Wings just need to get a split in Chicago and the Wings fans will do the rest at the Joe!!!

Ok, here it goes.... The ever on going debate Hossa or Franzen, Franzen or Hossa, which one should we have kept? This series, for me, will end it. Every last one of you no doubt know my opinion of Franzen and the choice I wish Holland would have made...BUT this will end it.

I am putting it out there right now, to all of you, IF either Franzen outscores Hossa this series win or lose OR Wings eliminate the Hawks I will (are you ready?) NEVER bring up the Hossa > Franzen EVER again! I might slip years from now, so if I do you can blast me and remind me of this statement. Doesn't mean I still won't talk about trading Franzen for a player we may need more, BUT again, the Hossa is better than Franzen debate will be OVER when it comes to me! (I can see a lot of you clapping right now! )

So.....

If Franzen outscores Hossa (win or lose the series) -OR- if the Wings eliminate the Hawks (even if Hossa outscores Franzen) I will be done with the debate forever.....

If Hossa outscores Franzen and the Hawks eliminate the Wings, nothing will change, it will just be status quo....

Game on!

(if you want my honest opinion, I obviously hope that I never mention the debate again with a Wings win!)

DAN WHATEVER YOUR f****** NAME IS CLEAR OR CLEARLY GET THE f*** OUT OF THIS TEAM BACK GO f****** LEARN TO PLAY MORON I PERSONALY DON'T GIVE A s*** THAT YR LEG IS f***ET UP, PLEASE LIIVE. ANF BABCOCK PLEASE GET READ OF OUR QUINESSSSSSYYYYY HOLLAND YOU JUST HIT THE JUCK f****** POTT!

Wings need to be tough and nasty, the hawks if you can believe it had less/equal fights (depending on what you consider a fight) this year than us, they are one of the least physical teams in the league and according to their fans they lock up in a physical battle. The Wild aside form Clutterbuck gave them 0 physical challenge. Kronwall needs to hit early and often and nobody can give them any space physically,

"I assure you the hits along the boards he(Aaron Downey) constantly threw SEVERAL TIMES EVERY SHIFT were far more damaging hits that what Kronwall throws."- uk_redwingHockeyArchiveTwitter

As it was, I would have predicted the Ducks winning in 6 for the last series.

Now, I am saying Hawks in 6, but I think it could be a Hawks sweep or the Wings winning in 6 or 7, I don't see very much middle ground otherwise. It'll either be the Hawks running the Wings over, or the Wings winning a hard fought series.

Don't take it from fans on LGW, take it from his peers. NHL players have spoken and they think Tootoo is the dirtiest player in the league.

DAN WHATEVER YOUR f****** NAME IS CLEAR OR CLEARLY GET THE f*** OUT OF THIS TEAM BACK GO f****** LEARN TO PLAY MORON I PERSONALY DON'T GIVE A s*** THAT YR LEG IS f***ET UP, PLEASE LIIVE. ANF BABCOCK PLEASE GET READ OF OUR QUINESSSSSSYYYYY HOLLAND YOU JUST HIT THE JUCK f****** POTT!